FFA students compete at state

Hot Springs County High School FFA members attended the State FFA Convention April 4-7 in Cheyenne and Laramie, where they placed in several different categories.

FFA advisor Britton Van Heule said in the meats category, they placed eighth out of 34. Participating in the meats category were juniors Logan Bartholomew, Ryan Bleak and Keegan Robbins.

They were responsible for identifying 30 retail cuts of meat, yielding and quality grading six beef carcasses and placing six classes.

The Hot Springs County High School FFA placed 18th out of 45 in the livestock competition. Participating in the livestock competition were juniors Jessie Pennoyer, Taylor Nuttall, Dreama Thorpe and freshman Barb Kissel. They were responsible for judging beef, sheep, pigs and goats. Taylor Nuttall placed ninth and Jessie Pennoyer placed 13th in swine, out of 180 kids competing, Van Heule said.

Van Heule said in the horse category of the competition, the Hot Springs County High School FFA placed 22nd out of 34. Juniors Dreama Thorpe, Taylor Nuttall, sophomores Katelyn Schmuck and Tyne Vialpando participated in the horse category, evaluating halter horses and performance classes.

The Hot Springs County High School FFA placed 18th out of 25 in the poultry competition. Participating in the poultry category were freshman Barb Kissel, Maggie Jones, sophomores Kaitlyn Schmuck and Tyne Vialpando. Students identified poultry parts, graded ready to eat products, graded eggs and placed live and carcass chickens, Van Heule said.

Van Heule said in environmental and natural resource competition, the Hot Springs County High School FFA placed 22nd out of 25. Environmental and natural resource participants included juniors Kole Cox, Logan Bartholomew, Ryan Bleak and freshman Jeremy Gibbel. They solved soil and water problems as well as identified animals, hides, skulls and plants. The Hot Springs County High School FFA showcased a booth titled, "Ag is the Answer." The booth came in second, Van Heule said.

Van Heule said state FFA degrees were awarded to seniors Teryn Jackman and Katelyn King. The degrees are based off of participation and dollars and hours culminated in a Supervised Agriculture Experience. The dollar amount is equal to $4,000.